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“What a cocksucker.”

The fact that Rider believes me when no one else did means more than I can say. I rub Poppy’s back, embarrassed to look at Rider.

“So where do you go for winter and summer break?” he asks.

“I stay around here.”

I just need a reason to stay after graduation, and I’m hoping Archer gives me that anchor. Otherwise I’m not sure where I’ll go.

He clears his throat. “I swear this isn’t how I wanted to spend our morning, being so serious and stressed out.”

I smile, even though I’m feeling shy and vulnerable. “It’s okay. I like getting to know you.”

“I want to get to know you too. For real this time.” The smile he gives me is dazzling and makes the butterflies in my stomach take flight.

When the food comes, Rider scoots out of the booth and comes over to take the baby. “So you can eat without my gremlin trying to devour your hair.” He gives me a wink.

My smile grows as I dive into my waffles while I watch Daddy Kingston feed his daughter.

“Come on, munchkin. Let’s try to get more foodinyou thanonyou this time.”

I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth, entranced. His t-shirt fits snug across his wide shoulders. Those big biceps flex as he holds Poppy in one arm while maneuvering that tiny spoon in the other.

Oh, yeah.This is better than porn.

A few minutes later, the waitress brings over a highchair, and we get Poppy settled in and finish eating.

When we’re done, he motions toward my plate. “Are you doing better with your hypoglycemia?”

I pause. We’ve never discussed the details of what happened last May, but he must have overheard me talking to the paramedics that day. “Is that why you always try to feed me? First the pizza and now waffles.”

He gives me a sheepish smile. “I don’t know. Maybe. Is that wrong?”

“No, it’s sweet. But I’m doing better. I haven’t had any episodes since the night we found Poppy. That was the last time I felt dizzy. I went too long without eating. It was an accident, really.”

“What happened?”

“A bad date.”

“That dick Jason didn’t feed you?”

I laugh at Rider’s intensity. “Jason’s idea of dinner was nachos from that gas station, which I passed on. That’s how I ended up light-headed later. But unless you’re planning on taking me on a bad date, we should be good.”

Rider gives me a wolfish grin. “I plan on doing a lot of things with you. Bad dates aren’t one of them.”

My lady parts stand up and cheer, and I feel my face heat. “I’ve been meaning to ask why you didn’t like him.”

“Aside from him taking you out?”

I fight a smile. “Yes. Aside from that.”

“I had a friend he cheated on last year, so I knew he was bad news.”

Nodding slowly, I bite back the question I really want to ask, but he gives me a look.

“What?”

If we’re doing this for real, I guess I have a right to know. “Have you ever cheated on anyone?”